CORPORATE VISION / April 2017 25 , Wally Brant is CEO of Indiana Oxygen, which sells and distributes industrial gases and welding supplies throughout Central Indiana, Western Ohio, and Northern Kentucky. He recently won the CEO of the Year 2017 – Indiana award, so we celebrate his success in this fascinating profile of his work as a CEO and indeed the firm that he heads up. Something in the Air Wally Brant became CEO of Indiana Oxygen Company, headquartered in Indianapolis, IN, USA, in 1979 at the age of 32. He mortgaged everything to buy out other family member- owners. Prior to joining the family business, he was a graduate of Purdue University and served seven years in the U.S. Air Force as a B-52 Navigator during the War in Vietnam. In April, 2017, Indiana Oxygen is celebrating its 102nd anniversary. Despite being the oldest Gas and Welding Supply company in North America, its growth in the first 70 years was severely limited by remaining a single-location, family-owned entity. However, third-generation owner, Wally Brant, embarked on an expansion plan in 1982 to include eleven retail (11) stores, a regional acetylene gas manufacturing facility, and pioneered the company into eCommerce (electric internet sales) that now makes up 1/3 of its gross revenue. Indiana Oxygen sells into all 50 US states and over a dozen countries. Indiana Oxygen’s products serve a variety of industries, including: sheet metal manufacturing, heavy construction, medical research laboratories, food and beverage, farming, automotive, environmental protection, and auto sports. Indiana Oxygen is the longest standing continuous accessory sponsor to the legendary Indianapolis ‘500’ mile race. Starting in 1915, Indiana Oxygen provided compressed air (later Nitrogen) for racing tires. In 1965 it also began providing certified welding services on-site. Since 1915 the company has never missed a single year in providing service and cutting- edge welding technology to the race teams (including the US Grand Prix teams). Indiana Oxygen’s Welding Garage is located in Gasoline Alley inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Indiana Oxygen has grown by a multiple of thirty since Wally became CEO. The strategy was to become large enough to be self-sustaining and to resist hostile takeover attempts during frequent “acquisition flurries” by the larger national and inter-national competitors. Since their gas products are exactly the same molecules as every competitor in the industry, “product purity” and “excessive service and response” are key elements to thriving among large and small competitors. In late 2014, Wally promoted Gary Halter to become President of Indiana Oxygen, and Wally remained the Chief Executive Officer. His task is primarily to chart the future direction of the company and to create business and community relationships at the top executive levels in the market. In 2017, at the age of sixty-seven (67), Wally was admitted for enrollment in the exclusive University of Notre Dame Graduate Program to obtain his Executive Master of Business Degree. What would motivate a 67 year old executive go back to University? It was to learn from other successful executives and his professors to keep Indiana Oxygen on the cutting edge of theory and technology, thus keeping him critically relevant to his fellow employees. (Wally is scheduled to graduate in May, 2018.) Wally lists his most critical challenge in his recent career as having to work with the Teamsters Union which represented his truck drivers, dockmen and production personnel. After being a “Union Shop” for 68 years, Wally amicably convinced the employees that their future well-being would be better without Union representation. Since then, several of his union members have ascended to the ranks of management… an impossible achievement under the former Union rules. The men have been paid higher wages, operate under a generous production bonus program, and have promotion possibilities previously prohibitive under the Union representation. Like all industries, the Gas and Welding industry is constantly changing. Fifteen years ago, almost Zero sales were conducted via the internet; now over 1/3 of Indiana Oxygen’s total revenue comes from the internet. One particular advantage of the gas industry is the fact that no one will invent a substitute for Oxygen and the natural gas elements. Plus, new innovated uses are constantly being created. Like most production and manufacturing industries, the gas and welding industry follows trends in Real GDP growth, inflation, and housing startups as key indicators for future business climates. For 2017, the signs look cautiously positive. The future of Indiana Oxygen is bright. Wally’s two children, Anne (38) and Jay (34) joined the family company seven years ago and are committed to keeping the business independent and family-owned. There is always a need for flexible and mobile middle-sized companies in this industry! Wally is enjoying his new academic and business challenges. He has no plans for retirement, but has already put into place a well-thought-out succession plan for the next 12 years. For more information, please so feel free to contact INDIANA OXYGEN on any of the contact details below. Company: INDIANA OXYGEN Name: Wally Brant, C.E.O. Email:
[email protected] Web Address: www.indianaoxygen.com Address: PO BOX 78588 6099 W. Corporate Way Indianapolis, IN 46278 Telephone: +1 317 808 4011 1703CV31